April 1: Pompano Park 12% Takeout Pick 4 Ticket

by Al Cimaglia

April 1, 2018

Tonight, Pompano Park has an 11-race card on tap with the feature rolling in Race 10, an Open Handicap Pace with a $15,000 purse. The 0.50 Pick 4 sequence with a $30,000 guarantee and an industry low 12% takeout begins in Race 6 and that will be my focus.

On Saturday at Cal Expo the posted Pick 4 ticket fell short in the third leg as the (2-8-8-1) combination paid $139.16 on a 0.20 wager.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 61-Winyard Hanover-Rough trip from the 7 hole in last but likes to win and will use at 8-1 in the ML. 2-Mikado Blue Chip-Gets an inside post and has gate speed, could upset and be overlooked at the windows. 4-No Bad Dreams-Will respect connections but doesn't race much and is camera shy, will look to beat ML chalk. 5-A Cool Card-Will toss last and from this post should stay in the hunt to the wire.

Race 72-Always A Tiger-One of a couple moving up after a claim, enjoys some post relief. 6-A Fool For MarK-2nd start off the claim for Case and last was a sharp effort. 7-Hurricane Howard-Hennessey's choice has the gate speed to get involved early, should be a player.

Race 82-Backup A-Has struggled but lands inside and will respect chances for a big try. 3-Respectable Dream-Faded in last after setting a hot pace, may try a different strategy. 4-Art Again-Another looking for an overdue win, this is 3rd start for new connections and should be in the mix. 5-Hurrikane Ali-Could be a drop and pop situation for lightly raced 6-year-old.

Race 92-Spirit Shadow-Has a chance to make an impact from this post after coming off a sharp win. 5-Ey Cowboy-Can't leave off the ticket despite having trouble beating #6. 6-Major Starlight-ML chalk is the one to beat after coasting by 3 lengths from 8 hole in 1:52.2

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2.19.2019

Pompano Park has an 8-race card set to roll tonight. The popular 0.50 Pick 4 sequence will be my focus. It begins in Race 5 and has a $15,000 guaranteed pool with an industry low 12% takeout.
Last night was a bit unusual in south Florida. No driver or trainer had more than one win on the 8-race card. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track. Race 5:4-Glide In The Wind-Hennessey seems to have found the key to this horse since the claim on 1/29. 5-Wesley Hanover-Could upset the 3/2 ML chalk if the pace is fast enough, should be sitting in the pocket.
Race 6:2-Jays Bees Grin-12-time winner in '18 comes off a big try from the 2nd tier, a player at 2-1 in the ML. 3-Brookstone-Was claimed for $5k on 1/9 and now in for a $4k tag, could be a wake-up call if minds manners. 6-Bobcat Bound-Another without much success after a recent $5k claim, will respect chances in a soft field.
Race 7:3-Iced Out-7/5 ML chalk with Hennessey takes a big drop, could get on the engine and not look back. 4-Keystone Christa-10-year-old mare is hard to predict, can win at this level at a nice price if fires best shot. 7-Mystical Bay-Simons choice, and did face a tough winner in last, could be sitting on a big try. 8-Walk Two Moons-Zeron has been quiet, but here's a price shot to use if he can light this gal up off the gate.
Race 8:1-Sweet Bet-Last was better and this is 3rd time Lasix, looks to be in the hunt. 4-Layer Cake-Does best work up-close to the lead and could get that trip tonight. 6-Machin Marley-Form hasn't been great but last was better and if pace is quick could surprise at a square price. 7-Northern Dali-9/5 chalk got sucked around in 1st start since a sick scratch, has beaten better but will look to beat.
0.50 Pick 4:4,5/2,3,6/3,4,7,8/1,4,6,7 Total Bet=$48
Check me out on Twitter, @AlCimaglia.

2.12.2019

Pompano Park has an 8-race card on tap tonight with the feature coming in Race 6, a condition pace with a $5,500 purse. The 0.50 Pick 4 begins in Race 5, and it continues to gain popularity. The sequence has a $15,000 guaranteed pool, a low 12% takeout and will be my focus. As often is the case Wally Hennessey was the driver with the hottest hands, but last night he made only two trips to the winner's circle. All eight races on the card were won by different trainers. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track. Race 5 1-Direct Route-Will look to beat this tepid ML chalk but couldn't leave out versus this crew. LT mark is on a 5/8's at Phl. 2-Expo-Will excuse last start with a break, this is the best shot in a long time for an overdue win. 3-Undercover Bro-Another with an early miscue, but now MacDonald's back, can save ground and look to rally late. 7-Innovative Force-Is more sure-footed than others and it doesn't hurt to have Hennessey who can work a trip. Race 6 2-Rockin Desire-9-time winner in '18 is in a more comfortable spot. Could be sitting on a big try. 3-Highly Spirit-Winner of 2 out of 3 at this class will be bet very hard again, likes the engine and should get there. 4-Layer Cake-Could get the pocket behind #3, if back class shows it could be picture time. Race 7 1-De Valeria-4-race win streak was snapped, but now sheds the 8-hole. If fires best shot it should be good enough. 5-Dontcloseyoureyes-Will need to make the most of post 5, if so, Wally can get a trip and stay in the hunt. 6-Rose Run Samantha-Beat 8k claimers here in the fall. A quick pace helps, needs some breaks but best to respect. Race 8 1-Legend Field-9-year-old could get a pocket trip behind #5, will take a swing at 15-1 in the ML. 5-Deli-Craze-ML chalk takes a good drop in class and really has no excuse, but doesn't take many pictures. 9-Trotalot-Zeron needs to find a trip to be in striking range late, this isn't a strong field so will respect chances. 0.50 Pick 4 1,2,3,7/2,3,4/1,5,6/1,5,9 Total Bet=$54 Check me out on Twitter, @AlCimaglia